Novak Djokovic is unlikely to compete at the Australian Open if regulations on COVID-19 vaccinations are not relaxed, the world’s number one father, Srdjan Djokovic, has said.
The organizers of the year’s first Grand Slam have said that all players will have to be vaccinated to participate.
Djokovic has so far refused to reveal whether he is vaccinated and his father told Serbia’s TV Prva that the stance taken by Tennis Australia’s governing body on tennis players being vaccinated is similar to “blackmail”. “.
“Regarding vaccines and non-vaccines, it is each of us individually whether we are vaccinated or not. No one has the right to infringe on our intimacy,” B92 news site quoted Mr. Srdjan as saying.
“Under these conditions and blackmail, (Djokovic) probably won’t (play). I wouldn’t. And he’s my son, so you decide for yourself.”
Djokovic has won nine Grand Slam titles at Melbourne Park, including this year’s tournament, and shares a record 20 men’s Grand Slam titles with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.
Nadal has confirmed he will play at Melbourne Park in January but Federer will miss the tournament as he recovers from another knee surgery.
The Australian Open starts on January 17.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
